Physical Activities by Technology Help (PATH)

Overview

PATH is a research study for cancer survivors to help participants to become more active. Studies suggested an association between inactivity and cancer. The investigators created new novel ways and technologies that may help participants to become more active. The three methods the investigators are studying are: 1) participant become active on her/his own; educational material will be provided; 2) working with a programmed health coach over the phone via text messages; and 3) using digital voice assist to help participant become more active. The digital voice assist will be delivered via Amazon Alexa on Echo speaker (it is the famous intelligent voice that you see in superball commercial by Alec Baldwin). This study is funded by the State of Maryland.

If the participant agree to be in this study, the investigators will ask the participant to do the following things: The participant will be asked questions about his/her physical activity (walking, running or other exercise) to determine if he/she are eligible to participate. If the participant is eligible and interested in participating, the investigators will ask hi/her to read and sign the consent form. After that, the investigators will randomly assign the participant to a research group (this method would be similar to drawing numbers from a hat). The result will determine which group the participant will belong to. The study would have three different groups: 1. Group one will be self-motivated to be physically active (control group) 2. The second group will receive smart daily text messages only (text group); 3. The last group would have the Amazon Echo smart device installed in participants' homes and they will interact with a digital voice assist that will help them be active (Alexa group). * All study participants will receive a Fitbit device which you can keep after the study. * When the investigators start the study, the participant will be asked to start wearing wrist device immediately. For the next one week the investigators will monitor the participant daily number of steps to establish how active he/she is. The participant will not be required to change his/her daily routine in the first week. * After the end of the first week, the investigators will ask the participant to increase his/her daily steps to at least 10 thousand steps per day for the next four weeks. In total the participant will have one week of hi/her normal daily routine and four weeks of trying to do 10 thousand steps per day or more. * If the participant is in the control group, the investigators will ask you to try to do 10 thousand steps per day on his/her own. * If the participant are in the text group, he/she will get smart text messages with healthy tips to help track his/her activities and reach his/her daily goal. * If the participant is in Alexa group, a study member will visit the participant at his/her home before the end of the first week to install the Echo smart speaker and to explain to the participant how to use the voice assist to help him/her become more active for the next four weeks.